MODERN FLATS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22578, 17 November 1936, Page 14

MODERN FLATS

LOW KENT DESIGNS EVERY FACILITY INCLUDED STUDENT ARCHITECT'S WORK A design for a block of modern flats which could be let for as little as lis a week is one of tho many interesting features of the annual exhibition of the Auckland University College School of Architecture, to be opened by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, this afternoon. The design is by Mr. W. R. Simpson and shows remarkable ingenuity and an impressive attention to detail. Each flat v is air-conditioned and centrally heated, and equipped with refrigerator, drying cupboard and up-to-date system of refuse disposal that will win the housewife's heart. Facilities available to all the flats in common include cafeteria, co-operative store, roof garden for sun-bathing, babies' creche and covered playing area for children. Some of the flats are designed for individuals and might be let, Mr. Simpson estimates, for as little as lis a week. Others are designed for families of three at a rental of 17s 3d and others for families of six at 255. Attached to each of the "family" flats is a private garden—the one disturbing point in an otherwise attractive design. To one, at any rate, these miniature gardens, with their artificial ascension of Nature, are distressingly reminiscent of the Victorian aspidistra. But as a whole the design deserves the most careful consideration. A City Hall Perhaps the next most attractive exhibit is the design by Mr. H. D. S. McGowan for a city hall and municipal offices. Mr. McGowan's design has strength and simplicity, and is cleverly adapted to transform the present unlovely site into a thing of beauty. Mr. R. H. Toy's design for a university library, although somewhat reminiscent, is expressed in simple masses, which reveal a very fine feeling for line. It i» notably enriched ! in its presentation by the careful model | prepared by Mr. J. W. Briinblecombe. i Among the other designs, for air | ports, co-operative stores and the rest, especially interesting are those for a conservatorium elaborately provided with auditorium, lecture rooms, library, practice rooms and staff accommodation. All are very well presented, es- | peeiallv in the perspective views, while i Mr. R. A. Nicol's design is dis- ! tinguished bv its clever planning, i The Auckland Brick Manufacturers |' prize goes to Mr. N. J. Jenkins for I a design of a small housing lay-out iin a suburb. To Mr. Jenkins' some- | what sugary Old World cottage treat- ; mcnt some mav prefer the bolder ver- ! sion of Mr. T. Hoy, with its quiet ; breadth and able planning. Clever Sketches Among tho six-hour sketches for service stations and fishing lodges, j cabarets and golf club houses, the eye !i s taken by the charming suggestion I for a chapel by Mr. N. J. Jenkins. ' There is cleverness, too, in the very | mannered sketches for a park lodge and ! a swimming pool by Mr. J. W. ChapI For the expert there are complete 1 sets of working drawings for steelframe buildings designed to resist I earthquakes. For the less technicalminded there are some pleasing holiday sketches, outstanding among which are Mr R. A. Nicol's studies of trees. Altogether there is much of interest i to all in the exhibition, which will I be on view from this afternoon until ! Tliursdav night in the Arts Building I of the "University College.